The award was created by the ministry of science and technology to enhance creativity among children.

A student of Delhi Public School here, Shantanu, 17, has shared the award with Ankit Kumar Mittal, another Class 12 student, from Barnala in Punjab. Ankit has invented a modified zip.

"I used to feel bad seeing visually-impaired students in my school bump into walls and furniture. I thought of developing something that warns them about obstacles," said Shantanu.

He proposed the idea to his electronics teacher who was all for it. "It took me six months to develop the stick.

"It has infra-red sensors. The sensors are connected to a motor. When infra-red rays are reflected, the stick starts vibrating, giving warning about obstacles ahead," said the lean and tall boy who wants to be an engineer.

The equipment can be fitted on conventional stick.

"It can detect an obstacle within one feet. Now I plan to increase the range to 2-3 metres. I have been approached by some companies to market the invention," he says, with a tinge of pride.

Ankit's invention is equally interesting. He modified zip locks which are used in travel bags, kit bags and jackets.

"Normally it is difficult to change a defective zip lock. The traditional ones are in one piece. After seeing my father struggle to fix the zip lock of his jacket, I thought of developing a two-piece lock," said Ankit, who wants to be a scientist.

According to CSIR Director General Sameer Brahmchari, the two inventions were chosen out of 353 proposals received for various categories of prizes to be given away. - IANS

Share This Article

Share This Article

Most Recent

As a child, Poly Pattnaik, who runs one of the top schools in Bhubaneswar, dreamt of opening a school where learning would be high quality and fun. She started her school with Rs 30,000 but today pays Rs 1 crore in salaries, says Gurvinder Singh

The journey of Nita Mehta, who heads a Rs 7 crore turnover company, from a housewife to a successful entrepreneur heading multiple businesses that include a kitchen academy and a publishing house is truly remarkable, says Sofia Danish Khan

With Rs 2 lakh, Minnat Lalpuria started a consultancy to help families conducting weddings to find the right venue, photographer, etc., as per their budget. Six years later, her cumulative turnover is set to cross Rs 18 crore, says Deven Lad

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak’s non-profit has changed the lives of lakhs of manual scavengers many of whom have been provided jobs in his organisation that employs over 50,000 people and generates an annual revenue of Rs 500 crore, says Gurvinder Singh

"The Weekend Leader stands out for its excellent coverage of news, and very well researched articles. It spreads hope, inspiration and its contagious enthusiasm to all its readers."
Chayaa Nanjappa, Founder Partner, Nectar Fresh